Beadle's Half Dime Library No. 811 — page 11: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

Phenix’s marksmanship, and now presented a sorry spectacle. A ball had plowed a bloody furrow in his cheek; one ear was shot entirely away. garments were soaked in blood that oozed from a ghastly wound in his side. The once swarthy face of the gambler was now deathly pale, and his eyes burned with a feverish light. It was only with great difficulty that he cimbed from the tunnel. The chief’s lead had not been wasted, after all, and Duke De: by’s hours were numbered. Without a word, the gambler produced a knife and liberated his former foes, after which eS service was performed for the captive irls. ** What does this mean, Derby?’ was eagerly demanded, as the delighted fellows rubbed their | bruised and benumbed limbs to restore the circu- lation, ‘‘ You are an angel in disguise.” The gambler smiled faintly, as he staggered against the wall for support. “A queer-looking angel, I reckon,” he said, “You see, | tired of the: White Phenix’s au- thority, and planned to kill him; but luck was against us, and we.lost the game. 1, alone, es- caped, but the devils left their mark here. Well, it’s only what I deserve, for the trick was a dirty one, anyway!” * But why did you return to assist us?” in- quired Ralph Renwood, curiously. ‘* Well, it happened this way,” returned the gambler, speaking with difficulty. ‘‘ Il was row- ing up the bayou, after my pursuers swamped their boat, growing weaker every moment from this wound in my side, when a strange voice seemed suddenly to assail my ears. ‘¢¢ Duke Derby,’ it says, ‘you have got your billet at last. Before another sun sets, you will shake hands with old Satan, Now, think of those poor devils helpless in the clutches of the White Phenix. Perhaps you can save them if youtry. Duke Derby, you have lots of sins to answer for. Try to atone for the past by doing one kind deed before you die!’ ** So back I come, prompted by the influence of that mysterious voice, It was rough work, for my strength was failing fast, but I succeed- ed in skirting the island, and landed near the exit of the underground passage, which the chief had revealed tome, Now | am here, and have done all I can for you.” The prisoners were visibly affected by the touching words of the stricken gambler, ‘ Your hand, Derby!” exclaimed Ralph Ren- wood. ‘‘This noble action at once wipes out the past. I am glad to call you friend!” ‘* Yes; put it there, old hoss! You’re a trump ae an’no mistake,” supplemented Headlight arry. é; Duke Derby’s eyes were turned inquiringly toward Ruth Sharon, ‘*And you—do you, too, forgive me?” he in- terrogated, ‘¢'Yes,”’ answered the fair girl, simply; and she took the shaking hand of the gambler. ‘*{ feel like anew man now. I can take the dread journey with less fear of the hereafter. Hark!” be cried, with sudden energy. ‘‘ [ hear approaching footsteps. Flytothe tunnel! You will find the boat on the shore, Quick! or you are lost!” ‘+ And you?” interrogated Renwood, as the party rushed to the passage. ‘‘] will bring up the rear. Makehaste, if you wish toescape!?_ The fugitives hastily lowered themselves into the tunnel, just as the White Phenix appeared at the door. FP Aa The half-hour of grace had expired, and the chief had come for his victims; he was scarcely prepared for the sight that met his gaze. With an infuriated cry he leveled a revolver at the head of the gambler, but the movement was en- tirely unnecessary. Duke Derby suddenly pitched forward, blood ushed from his mouth andears, and he fell ina uddled heap, effectually blocking the entrance to the tunnel, his glassy eyes fixed upon the White Phenix in a look of triumph. | _ Meantime, the four fugitives were hastening through the underground passage, stumbling blindly in the darkness, ‘¢T don’t hear any one in pursuit,” remarked Headlight Harry. ‘‘Can it be old chalk-face has given up the chase?” _ **Not he, More likely he is at this moment in his boat, hurrying to intercept our retreat.” They reached the pit, and utilizing the rope- ladder, were soon at the top, Duke Derby’s boat could be seen, drawn up on the bank close athand. The fugitives lost no time in embark- . Each man seized an oar, and thecraft shot out into the stream. / s ‘s. ri 7 » . . a, i » 4. cm \' His | builets flew viciously around the boat, One of it, - “¢ The White Phenix, | At that moment there was a lusty shout, as their dreaded foes darted into view, a consider- able distance away. | ** Hello! Chalk-face an’ bis nigger are on | deck,” cried Headlight Harry, *‘* Now comes _ the tug-of-war. It’s pull Dick, pull devil! Go | it for your life, old pard!” Then commenced a fearfulrace for life and liberty ! CHAPTER XITI, OUT OF THE TOILS, OveEr the reeking waters of the dismal swamp, swiftly sped pursuers and pursaed. The latter possessed a good lead; but could they maintain this advantage against the herculean powers of the foe? Both young men were excellent oarsmen, and the blades rose and fell in perfect unison, as, with quick, energetic pulls they urged the craft along. But, fast as they flew, the pursuers came on with equal rapidity. The grotesque Swamp Demon held tlte oars, and, despite the fact that a bullet was deeply imbedded in his shoulder, his long, powerful strokes caused the light craft to fairly skim the water. Had the two young railroad men been the sole occupants of their boat, the White Phenix could have speedily ended the chase by shooting down the weaponless youths, but the presence of the girls deterred him from pulling trigger. He could not afford to risk hitting the maiden whom he felt bound to recapture, and so im- patiently awaited the result of the black hunch- back’s exertions. The course of the fugitives was happily shaped, for they soon found themselves between the banks of the broad bayou which they knew to be the outlet of the morass. This euaaetah stream would conduct them to the railroad, un- der which it passed, To reach this point the fugitives strained every nerve, at the same time realizing that to accomplish this would afford no shelter, yet hoping against hope that chance would bring some passer-by to the res- cue. aimee | The swamp was now left behind, while the shores were higher and fringed by dense tbick- | ets. The course of the stream was serpentine, twisting and winding through a vast meadow. | As the boats flew along, it was soon evident that the pursuers were gaining in the chase. The marvelous powers of the Swamp Demon were too much for even the combined efforts of the fugitives. Foot by foot, the gap between the boats was steadily narrowed, Thehbunchback worked like ademon, The White Phenix crouched eagerly in the bow, and his pale face wore an expression of fiendish delight, when he beheld the prey al- most within their grasp. Headlight Harry and Ralph Renwood, labor- | ing like heroes, saw in consternation that their mightiest efforts were in vain. | ‘Our goose is cooked, old pard. Old Nick, | hisself couldn’t outrow that cursed nigger,” | panted the former, the perspiration pouring in streams down his honest face. ‘¢ Never say die!” returned Ralph, his hand- some face set in grim resolve, ‘‘ When the | time comes, use your oar fora club and battle ' for life!” | Headlight Harry’s response was a joyous cry. ‘* Hooray! We're saved, or I’m a Chinaman!” he yelled, s the boat followed a sweeping bend of the stream, our friends were suddenly brought into sight of the railroad; and along the track, above a steep embankment; could be seen—oh! welcome sight—a score of laborers busily at work. Headlight Harry’s shout reached the ears of the trackmen, some of whom immediately re- cognized the occupants of the boat. Quickly comprehending the situation, they rushed down the embankment ina body. Most of the men were armed, and weapons gleamed conspicuously as they hastened to the scene, This unexpected intervention threw the pur- suing outlaws into confusion. The Swamp Demon hastily backed water, as a storm of the missiles lodged in the arm of the negro, who started up with a roar of pain, dropping the oars, which immediately floated out of reach, Left without means of propelling the craft, the discomfited swamp-dwellers sought to evade capture by thy | to the water. Swimming | like beavers, with bullets flying thick and fast, _ they reached the opposite bank and vanished in | the thicket. ® - 4 - ; + iy * . = ; re > oe ye. ' oS oe +4 Yugredy ’ a 7 he em ™a, . ; ia vs ’ ae rt - ” ‘ - nis Meanwhile the refugees hastened to effect a landing, scarcely able to reahze tbat they were safe at last from the persecutions of the White Phenix. Hardly was this accomplished when the fleeing outlaws were seen to emerge from the timbers, some distance away. | ‘* After them, boys!” commanded the young superintendent. ‘*They are the men who wrecked the Night Express, and there’s a price upon their heads,” This information was sufficient to stimulate the trackmen to their best efforts. Ten thou- sand'dollars reward! The thought lent wings. to the crowd that rushed pell-mell in pursuit, The White Phenix and his black shadow sped in the direction of the railroad. A few bundred yards above was a short side-track. Here stood the ** construction-train,” consisting of an en- gine and a single car, the latter for the trans- portation of tools, and accommodation of the ‘‘oang” engaged in making repairs along the line. Toward this point the fugitive outlaws made their way, easily keeping wellin advance of the pursuers. With characteristic cunning, the chief saw a possible way out of difficulty, Determined to seize the train, he scrambled desperately up the embankment, The engineer and fireman were ensconced ina. shady ‘nook, close by, deep in the mysteries of seven-u', They heard the shouts of the track- men, but it was too late to prevent the capture of the engine. The Swamp Demon quickly opened the switch, while the chief kept on an into the cab. Ina moment the train was in motion, the hunchback swinging dexterously aboard, as it rushed out upon the main line, Hurrying to intercept the fugitives, the trackmen delivered a rattling volley as they flew past, but the occupants of the cab threw themselves upon the floor and escaped unscath- ed. Severalattempted to board the engine, but. the only man who succeeded in gaining a foot- hold received a crushing blow from tke black hunchback, and dropped senseless ground, Down the line sped the triumphant outlaws: with the stolen train, and a moment later van- ished from the view of the baffled pursuers, Raly b Renwood was exasperated to think that his arch-enemy was still at liberty. So long as the White Phenix was free, the superintendent and his bride must remain in constant fear of his terrible malignity. At that moment, however, a shrill whistle: was heard, and presently a passenger-train tore. into view, ‘The Mail-train! Ha! We'll have the scoun— drel yet,” cried Headlight Harry. The train was signaled, and the party hasten~ ed to get aboard, Ralph Renwood 'climbed into the cab and ordered the engineer to proceed at. full speed to Richville, a dozen miles away, Here he intended to cut loose the engine (for an- other could be procured for the train) and press on after the flying outlaw. The distance was quickly traversed, Riech- ville presented a lamentable appearance, Half the town was burned, with smoke still rising: from the blackened ruins, while the streets teemed with indignant citizens. The arrival of the 5 pth held absentees was greeted with cheers from the crowd collected around the sta- tion. The girls were borne in triumph to their respective homes. Hardly a moment was wasted here by the de- termined man-hunters. Relieved from the bur- den of the heavy train, their locomotive once more darted away in chase of the White Phe- nix. Headlight Harry was at the throttle now, his face beaming with enthusiasm, The engine was a superior one, and under bis magic guidance tore over the irons at a terrific pace, Renwood stood by the engineer’s side, while the cab was crowded with well-armed men bent on running the fleeing outlaws to the earth, CHAPTER XIV. EXIT WHITE PHENIX, At this moment the White Phenix and his black satellite were about ten minutes in ad- vance of tbeir pursuers and proceeding at a bounded — to the Ralph | moderate rate of speed. The fugitive chief ex- | ulted in the fact that his enemies were left many miles from the nearest telegraph-point, and, , consequently, vag powerless to continue the chase, for, in his excitement, he failed to think of the mail-train that, unfortunately for him, . followed close bebind, gl enty miles beyond. It was the r\ com The road ran through a rough, unsettled re- - Glee with the nearer sree ae